Friday, September 21, 2018

Ever wonder what some of the most successful Cub Scout packs and Scouts BSA troops are doing to keep their Scouts in Scouting (Retention) and bring in new Scouts (Growth)?

You might be surprised to know that along with the many thousands of volunteers just like you in the Boys Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council there are also a number of professionals who work in the council service center in Cedar Knolls. Well actually, they are seldom there because they are usually out and about helping your Cub Scout packs and Scouts BSA troops.

Look for them at your next district camporee, Scout roundtable, recruiting event, awards dinner, popcorn pick-up, or council training session -- they will be there. The membership support team covers many aspects of Scouting such as getting your Scout applications entered into the system so your Scouts are registered and insured. They arrange and prepare your recruiting materials from customized flyers and yard signs to getting the PPC Scout canopy ready for you to take to an event.

Have you attended a recruiting breakfast roadshow event? We have ones planned for 2018. Your member support team gets the presenters for the topics, many times as a volunteer presenting themselves as they are involved with units too.

Back to my first question now. Ask any of our membership support team what makes a unit successful and they will say “you”, backed by the support and knowledge of “me” who can help you keep your unit strong and growing.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

We are all experiencing challenges with recruiting and retention.Let’s get together on Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 P.M. at the Council Service Center to learn about the key tasks of your unit’s new member coordinator.

We will have an informal roundtable to talk about issues facing us all.Some topics we can discuss are Fall recruiting, recruiting New Member Coordinators, diversity, and Family Scouting.Interested in becoming a New Member Coordinator? Stop in and hear what we are all about!Each unit should have an assigned and registered NMC.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

A lot of information has been shared in the media regarding the exciting new policies that are allowing more girls to become members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Patriots' Path Council. Some of the information has been mis-characterized and the PPC Family Scouting Committee wants to ensure that your Pack or Troop knows the REAL details and how the new policies affect your unit.

Here are a baker’s dozen of "Frequently Asked Questions," plus an offer from the Family Scouting Committee to come out and explain further!

Do you have questions about:

1.Girls joining the Boy Scouts of America? Yes, we are still the Boy Scouts of America! The overall organization name is not changing. The program for 11-17 year old youth, presently known as “Boy Scouts," is simply being rebranded as “Scouts BSA” to reflect the new inclusive nature of the program, and will be accepting new All-Girl Troops starting February 1, 2019. The younger youth program (Kindergarten - 5th grade) started bringing All-Girl Dens into Packs earlier this year and will still be called "Cub Scouts."

2.Youth Protection and Adult Leadership Requirement Changes? As of October 1, 2018, two BSA-registered adult leaders 21-years-of-age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. There must a female adult leader, 21-years-of-age or over, registered in every unit serving females, and a registered female 21-or-over must be physically present for any activity involving female youth. IMPORTANT: Scoutmasters, Cubmasters, and Den Leaders for All-Girl Troops, All-Girl Packs, All-Girl Dens, and Family Packs can be either male or female (as has been the case for BSA units since the 1980’s); however, the presence of a registered female leader is required whenever girls are involved in any activity.

3.Modifications to Cub Scout/Scout requirements necessitated by the changes? There are no modifications! Girls will follow the same requirements for Cub Scout and Scout advancement that the boys follow. This goes from Lion Cub all the way to Eagle Scout!

4.Modifications to Scouting publications? The new Cub Scout books are already available in our Scout Shops. The requirements HAVE NOT CHANGED; however, the language and photographs have been modified to reflect female members. The Scout Handbook is under revision now.

5.Your Pack remaining an All-Boy Pack? Yes, you can keep your Pack all-boy if your Chartered Organization and Pack Leadership do not want it to change. [If you wish to remain an All-Boy Pack, please submit a “2018/2019 Cub Scout Pack Designation Form,” which can be found as a link on the Family Scouting webpage (https://ppcbsa.org/membership/familyscouting/).]

6.Bringing girls into your Pack by starting All-Girl Dens? This is happening throughout PPC as existing Packs and their Chartering Organizations are choosing to launch All-Girl Dens within existing packs. These units are now known as “Family Packs.” [To become a Family Pack, your pack needs to submit a “2018/2019 Cub Scout Pack Designation Form,” which can be found as a link on the Family Scouting webpage (https://ppcbsa.org/membership/familyscouting/). This webpage also includes a listing of all declared Family Packs in the Patriots’ Path Council.]

7.What to do if we don’t get enough girls? Since registration of girls may be uneven and you may not have enough for a den at each rank level, the national organization is allowing multi-grade dens for girls. Meeting plans are available that allow girls of different ages to work on their own rank requirements during the same meeting. The point is to provide an opportunity to families who want Cub Scouts for their daughters. [Use the Family Scouting e-mail address (358familyscouting@scouting.org)to request further information on multi-grade dens.]

8.Starting an All-Girl Pack? Just as Packs can be All-Boy Packs, a Chartered Organization can decide to start an All-Girl Pack. [Use the Family Scouting e-mailaddress 358familyscouting@scouting.orgto request further information on starting an All-Girl Pack.]

9.Your girls joining an existing Boy Scout Troop? NO GIRLS WILL BE JOINING EXISTING BOY SCOUT TROOPS! Current Boy Scout Troops will not change; they will remain All-Boy Troops. New All-Girl Troops will begin starting February 1, 2019, and your girls can join them then. [See Suggested Timetables for Family Scouting Units on the Family Scouting webpage(https://ppcbsa.org/membership/familyscouting/).] Older girls can now join specific Exploring Clubs and Posts until February 1, when they can transfer to an All-Girl Troop. [Use the Family Scouting e-mail address (358familyscouting@scouting.org) to request further information on these Exploring Clubs and Posts.]

10.Crossing your Arrow of Light All-Girl Dens into a Scouts BSA All-Girl Troop? This can take place starting February 1, 2019, but you need to start getting ready NOW! [See Suggested Timetables for Family Scouting Units on the right side of the Family Scouting webpage (https://ppcbsa.org/membership/familyscouting/).]

11.Where you can find these All-Girl Troops? The Patriots' Path Council is working to have All-Girl Troops ready to go for February 1, 2019. New Chartered Organizations are being recruited, and current Chartered Organizations with All-Boy Troops are being encouraged to start a "linked" All-Girl Troop. This "linked" All-Girl Troop can share a Troop Committee, equipment, and other resources, while maintaining a separate identity, Scoutmaster, and Patrol Leaders' Council. [To request information about finding or starting an All-Girl Troop in your area, use the Family Scouting e-mail address (358familyscouting@scouting.org)]

12.Getting older girls ready for the start-up of Scouts BSA All-Girl Troops? PPC is offering a weekend training program October 26-28, called “Specialized Training for Incoming Youth Leaders for 2019 start-up Troops,” to prepare girls to become leaders in their new All-Girl Troops. The training will be held at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation [See the Family Scouting webpage (https://ppcbsa.org/membership/familyscouting/) for the flyer about this youth training weekend. The flyer also includes a link to adult training on Sunday morning, October 28.]

13.How all-girl and Family Scouting units can participate in PPC's camping programs? Rest assured our camps are prepared and are already welcoming girls to summer camp and year-round programs.

Do you, and other members of your Pack or Troop, have questions about:

A Member of the PPC Family Scouting Committee will be happy to do a presentation for your Pack or Troop leaders and your Committee and Chartering Organization. We will also come to speak to your parents' group if you are thinking of starting a new all-girl Pack or Troop. Your presentation will be scheduled at your convenience in a place you select.

﻿For additional information or to schedule a presentation, please contact: Mary Ruth Lareau, PPC Vice-President of Family Scouting at MaryRuthLareau@aol.com or 973-479-8755.